Malabar History journal

Biography

E K Nayanar was born on December 9, 1919 as the son of Shri Govindan Nambiar and Narayani Amma at Kalliassery in Kannur district. He joined communist movement at the age of 20 and actively took part and led struggles of industrial and agricultural workers. He went underground for about 9 years in different periods in this regard. He got arrested and was imprisoned several times. He was married to K. P Sarada Teacher and had 2 sons and 2 daughters. He served as the editor of Deshabhimani daily during 1982-87 and 1991-1996. He published about 20 books. His autobiography “My Struggles” was published in both English and Malayalam. His other notable works include Olivukala Smrithkal, Doha Diary, Marxism-Oru Mukhavara (Marxism-An introduction), Nehru-Gandhi Oru Padanam (Nehru-Gandhi: A Study), Karl Marx, American Diary, Ente China Diary (My China Diary), Parliamentum Chila Vasthuthakalum (Parliament and Some Facts) and Samara Theecholayil. He was elected as Chief Minister of Kerala for 3 times and member of Lok Sabha for 1 term. He died on 19-05-2004. 

Political and Social Life

Nayanar joined the communist party in 1939, attracted by pioneers of the movement like P Krishna Pillai, A K Gopalan and E M S Namboodiripad. He actively participated in the people’s movements. He was an active participant in the historical struggle of peasants in Malabar during 1941, which came to be known as the “Kayyur struggle”. He also took part in the “Morazha” episode of 1940, a significant revolt against British Rule in Malabar. These involvements resulted in him being compelled to carry out his activities underground, for almost six years. He was arrested for the first time in 1940, for organising a strike in the Aaron Mills, Kannur. He was again imprisoned for a period of 3 years when communist party was banned in the country.  He was detained under the Preventive Detention Act, 1950 for 3 years (1964-1967). When the CPI split in 1964, Nayanar joined sides with the CPI-M along with E M S Namboodiripad and A K Gopalan. He again went underground during 1975-1977 in connection with the Emergency. 

He was elected as a member of Lok Sabha in 1967 from Palghat and served in the position till 1970. He was elected to Kerala Legislative Assembly for the first time in 1974 from Irikkur constituency through a bye-election. After that, he was re-elected to the position in 1980, 1982, 1987,1991 and 1996.  He occupied the chair of chief minister three times; from 25-01-1980 to 20-10-1981, from 26-03-1987 to 17-06-1991 and from 20-05-1996 to 13-05-2001. In 1980, Nayanar became the Chief Minister, heading a coalition government in which the Congress faction led by present Chief Minister A K Antony in the state was a partner.

But the ministry fell in 1982 after the Congress faction withdrew support to his government following serious differences. Nayanar’s second term was from 1987, but he could not complete the full five-year term as his party decided to seek fresh mandate in 1991 thinking that the political climate was favourable for a return to power, which, however, proved wrong. Regarding his third term, Achuthanandan, who was projected as Chief Minister candidate in the poll, was defeated in Mararikkulam in 1996. A powerful faction in the party wanted Suseela Gopalan to be the Chief Minister, but when the matter was put to vote in the state secretariat, the mantle fell on Nayanar. Being the longest serving holder of the office, he served for a total of 10 years and 353 days.  During the period from 1981 to 82, 1982 to 1987 and 1991 to 1992 Shri. Nayanar also served as Leader of Opposition in the Assembly. The Kerala Coir Workers Welfare Fund Act, 1987, The Kerala Khadi Workers’ Welfare Fund Act, 1989, The Kerala Abkari Workers Welfare Fund Act, 1989, The Kerala Construction Workers’ Welfare Fund Act, 1989 and the Kerala Ration Dealer’s Welfare Fund Act 1998 were some of the important labour related legislations enacted during his stewardship. The establishment of the Kannur University is also another hallmark in his administration. It was during his last stint as Chief Minister that the LDF launched the People’s Planning Campaign in 1996. A CPI-M central committee member since 1972, Nayanar had been a member of the party’s politburo since the mid-eighties He had also served as the state secretary of the party for different terms (1972-80 and 1991-96). 

References

‘E. K. Nayanar’, Kerala Legislature – Members, Niyamasabha.org. Retrieved from http://www.niyamasabha.org/codes/members/m474.htm

‘E. K. Nayanar’, Kerala Niyama Sabha. Retrieved from http://www.stateofkerala.in/niyamasabha/e_k_nayanar.php

“Nayanar: Crowd Puller of Leftist Forces.” The Times of India, 19 May 2004. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved from https://archive.today/20130103074138/…

‘E. K. Nayanar’, PeoplePill. Retrieved from https://peoplepill.com/people/e-k-nayanar

‘E. K. Nayanar’. Wikipedia (last edited 29 August 2022). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E._K._Nayanar